Brooks and Collier: Four Generations of

broo ks and coll ier

FOUR GENERATIONS OF INSPIRING PRODUCTS

GREG & KIM 3rd Generation

By Denise DuBois

Four generations have worked to make Brooks and Collier, located in Huntsville, Alabama, what it is today. The store began as a Feed and Seed in 1946 on Brown Street in Downtown Huntsville. T.E. Brooks and Ernest Collier wanted to bring Purina feed to the city. At the time, Huntsville was a sleepy cotton town.

The store was successful, and in the 1960s, the duo expanded their business and moved to a larger location on Washington Street. By the time Earnest decided to retire, T.E.’s son Billy had joined the business. In 1968, Billy Brooks purchased Brooks and Collier.

“It was real farm based back in the 70s,” said Greg Brooks, Billy’s son. “There were a lot of big farmers, and everybody did business on credit.”

Greg remembers going to the store as a young boy. The family even used the store’s address for school. He remembers his dad cooking breakfast in the apartment above the store. It was furnished as if someone was living there. “School employees would come and inspect it, give them a wink, and let it slide”, he said. Greg probably had other ideas on what he wanted to do with his life, but the family business sticks with you.

“It gets in your blood, I guess,” he said. “My son, Foster, is in it now. It just sucks you in.”

In 1985, the store was moved to its current location on Meridian Street. In 1987, Doris, Billy’s wife, opened a second location. Billy added a garden center and began selling trees, shrubs, and planters along with his seed. They also introduced outdoor furniture and a mix of indoor accessories.

Greg took over in 1993. He and his wife Kim renovated the building, expanded the nursery, and began traveling the world to bring one-of-a-kind pieces to the store.

“We try to entice people to buy things they haven’t seen anywhere else. We bring fresh and new items in a friendly atmosphere. We create an environment here that helps customers see the pieces in their space,” Greg said. “I enjoy the furniture part of it. We hunt for the unusual.”

And his customers become like family.

“It’s less transactional and more about relationships. It’s crazy how many folks I’ve got that are really good friends that I may never have met if it weren’t for the business,” he said.

Now that Foster is working there, Greg hopes he’ll take over one day soon.

“I’d like to go fi shing,” Greg said. LUCY

IVY

FOSTER 4th Generation

Brooks and Collier is celebrating 75 years of bringing unique indoor and outdoor decor to Huntsville, Ala. The store opened in 1946 and has four generations of family members serving customers. Brooks and Collier specializes in indoor and outdoor furniture, one-of-a-kind pieces from all over the world, grills, plants, lighting, and so much more. Pictured far left: Earnest Collier, T.E. Brooks, and Billy Brooks pose for a photo. At left: a young Greg Brooks sits on his father Billy’s shoulders in front of the Washington Street store. Photos provided by Greg Brooks. Above: The third and fourth generations of family now run the store. Photo by The Scout Guide Huntsville.

Foster Brooks, the next generation of Brooks to take over the family business, shares his tips for making your garden and flowers winter ready. 1. Tackle the weeds! “Before a cold winter, usually the south finds weeks with much rain. With that comes many weeds. Tackle the weed boxes to keep the beds looking fresh.” 2. Out with the debris. “Get all the debris out of the base of boxwoods, the crown root does not like this time of year.’ 3. Insecticide. “You can apply systemic insecticide this time of year to get ahead of the upcoming season for insects.” 4. Thin it out. “Thinning out boxwoods this time of year to let more light in is never a bad idea. This will help for a healthy growth in future.” Pictured are plants from Brooks and Collier’s greenhouse.